Second Swift Win for Flitney at Lydden Hill
It was a Rallycross Easter Extravaganza on Bank Holiday Monday at Lydden Hill Race Circuit for round two of the Toyo Tires British Rallycross Championship. Spectators filled the iconic Hill to sit back and watch an exciting day of racing and they were not disappointed!
Having taken the step up from juniors this season, it was reigning Junior Champion Tom Constantine who was fastest in the opening qualifying heat. Having taken the win in the first grid Max Weatherley times put him second, with seventeen year old Will Layton making it into the top three.
Dominic Flitney leading ahead of Chris Scott
In only his second Swift Sport race, Layton continued to find pace, taking the win in Q2 ahead of more seasoned Swift racers. A roll from Weatherley after catching the barrier out of Chessons, resulted in a DNF and a race restart for the second flock of Swifts. Round one winner Dominic Flitney recorded second quickest in the restart and Chris Scott, competing at his home circuit rounded off the top three. A puncture for Don Macleod assisted in a spin, which denied a Q2 finish for him.
It was not long before Swift newcomer Ed Stallard mastered the Peter Gwynne Motorsport Hire Swift to see his first chequered flag, winning his race in Q3, which when amalgamated with the second race grid slotted him in fourth. Former karter Layton proved it was no fluke, raising eyebrows as he again piloted the Auto Action Swift fastest with the same line up as previously of Flitney second and Scott third.
The PGM Team set to work on Weatherley’s Swift, which looked a little worse for wear, and despite the roll, he was back out to make the semi finals. Race one got underway with Layton once again leading and it was just one lap in when there were gasps from the crowds as Nikita Abravo’s Swift was seen summersaulting down the track out of the chicane eventually landing upside down on the tyre wall near the entry to the joker lap! The emergency crews were on the case and safely extracted the Russian who was fortunately unscathed, only has bumps and bruises.
During the initial lap, Constantine, who having already suffered mechanical issues during the day hampering heat times, had developed a gear selector problem which despite the race being halted, under Parc Fermé conditions meant he would have to restart as it was.
Flying start from Will Layton, Chris Scott and Tom Constantine (L to R)
Layton got a clean getaway again to take a comfortable win, with Max Weatherley making a good comeback in second, ahead of Chris Scott with Don Macloed securing himself a place in the final in fourth.
Flitney cruised the second semi final with a six seconds to spare ahead of championship newcomer James Chisman. Joe Booth secured third, with Ian Flitney narrowly missing out on the final promotion to former rally man Stallard.
Where it all counts, Layton lined up in pole position for the final, Flitney in the middle of the front row and Chisman to the outside. Weatherley and Scott made up the second row, with Booth, Stallard and Macleod behind, completing the grid.
As the lights glared green, they headed for Chessons. Chisman opted to head straight for the joker, whilst Layton and Flitney fought it out to the first corner. Hitting the loose it was Flitney who emerged ahead, with Layton looking for any opportunity to pass but despite the youngster posting quick lap times, Flitney kept him in his mirrors to the chequered flag to score his second successive win of the season. Layton impressed in second along with Chisman who completed the podium in only his second outing in his Swift. Weatherley managed fourth, followed by Scott, Stallard and Booth. Scotsman Macloed managed to cross the line with a poorly sounding Swift at the end of the day.
Will Layton - 2nd, Dominic Flitney - Winner, James Chisman - 3rd
So Flitney is the man to beat, but with two newcomers making the podium and seven rounds remaining the championship is just getting started. Join us to see if Flitney can make it three in a row as the Swifts head to Pembrey Circuit in Wales for the first double-header event of the season 22nd/23rd June 2019.